1st Advantage MortgageThe median Johnson County household earns $45,995, and 20% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Johnson County by the numbers
- Income in Johnson County compared with Arkansas
- What it costs to live in Johnson County
- Jobs and commutes in Johnson County
- The communities that make up Johnson County
- Johnson County next to its neighbors
- Debt-to-income at Johnson County's medians
- People and households in Johnson County
- What the numbers mean for Johnson County borrowers
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Johnson County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Johnson County by the numbers
Roughly 26,003 residents live in Johnson County, Arkansas, 24th by population among the state's 75 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 661 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 39 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Johnson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 8 Census places inside Johnson County, Clarksville leads by population with about 9,526; 5 of the 8 are incorporated.
Income in Johnson County compared with Arkansas
Johnson County households have a median income of $45,995 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 56th of 75 in Arkansas.
| Income band | Share in Johnson County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.9% | +8.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.7% | +2.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 13.9% | -7.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.5% | -4.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 16% of Johnson County households make $100,000 or more, and 38% make less than $35,000. 19.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.0%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.453 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $45,995 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
What it costs to live in Johnson County
Renters in Johnson County pay a median of $728 a month, 23% below the Arkansas figure of $947. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. Home values center on $135,300, or 2.9 years of median income. The ownership rate is 74%. Median construction year: 1986.
| Cost | Johnson County | Arkansas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $728/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $135,300 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 10.1% | 11.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 14% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Jobs and commutes in Johnson County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Johnson County residents work in manufacturing and 23% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 23% locally and 13% for Arkansas. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 83% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 5.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Johnson County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 22.5% | +9.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 22.5% | -1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.3% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.8% | -1.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Johnson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The communities that make up Johnson County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Johnson County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 13,843 people, so roughly 47% of residents live outside any named place. Lamar has the highest median household income on the list ($50,568) and Hartman the lowest ($36,667), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Lamar ($548) and steepest in Knoxville ($854). No Johnson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville | city | 9,526 | $37,373 | $760 | 8 mi |
| Lamar | city | 1,783 | $50,568 | $548 | 10 mi |
| Coal Hill | city | 892 | $39,148 | $621 | 15 mi |
| Hartman | city | 678 | $36,667 | $797 | 13 mi |
| Knoxville | town | 663 | $45,714 | $854 | 15 mi |
| Ozone | CDP | 194 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
| Hagarville | CDP | 89 | $48,953 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Oark | CDP | 18 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
Johnson County next to its neighbors
Franklin County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Yell County, is 40 miles off. Income ranges from $48,986 in Newton County to $58,555 in Logan County; all six of these neighbors top Johnson County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County | - | $45,995 | $728/mo | 74% |
| Franklin County, AR | 24 mi | $55,886 | $719/mo | 78% |
| Pope County, AR | 26 mi | $57,344 | $859/mo | 70% |
| Newton County, AR | 27 mi | $48,986 | $617/mo | 77% |
| Logan County, AR | 28 mi | $58,555 | $745/mo | 78% |
| Madison County, AR | 34 mi | $56,798 | $729/mo | 80% |
| Yell County, AR | 40 mi | $55,934 | $735/mo | 68% |
Debt-to-income at Johnson County's medians
How much room does a median Johnson County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $3,833 gross per month ($45,995 / 12)
- 19% goes to median rent ($728)
- Under a 35% cap, $1,342 total minus rent leaves $614
- At 45%, room after rent is $997 a month
If your rent is above $728, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
People and households in Johnson County
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. 8.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Johnson County | Arkansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.8% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.7% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.4% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.9% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.8% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.0% |
| 60+ min | 2.6% |
What the numbers mean for Johnson County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Johnson County borrowers.
- Free help first. 20% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Renters under pressure. When 50% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Before you sign
A short checklist for Johnson County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Johnson County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Arkansas.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for Johnson County
Consumer lenders serving Johnson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Arkansas that is the Arkansas State Bank Department. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Arkansas: Arkansas personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Arkansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Johnson County household make?
About $45,995 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 24% below the Arkansas median.
How does Johnson County rent compare with Arkansas?
$728 locally versus $947 for the state, 23% below.
Should Johnson County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Johnson County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Johnson County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Clarksville, Lamar, Coal Hill, Hartman, Knoxville and 3 more.
Is the fit check different in Johnson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.